Better late than Never

Been really busy in the past month or so.... I have been meaning to put some pics on the blog, just..... never enough hours in the day.

So this is going to be a mish/mosh of stuff.

Arnprior dog show: I met up with Cindy who own's Rosé's Son from her first litter - Axel
We gave him the "show grooming" treatment and Brianna took her camera... and snapped a few pics.....  Ain't he handsome!

The Daffodiles were in full bloom.

Rosé is always on high alert aroundme... she is my Watch Dog.... so funny, cause she is sooo sweet.

The next 2 pics... similar running / jumping in air shotd.

  LOL!!  Duncan at 8 years of age.... he loves to run!

Rayna... rules the roost!

Rio - Look at me!

Yup... he ensured that he could grab the ball at any given time... this is his Ball!

Little miss Rose and her nephew Rio.  He is 16"

Don't think about it tooo long Rose...

Back off Gramma!

Rio is such a happy happy boy.

Protected in the backyard up on the fence, between the tree and "dogs" I look to find 2 beautiful eggs.  I hope all goes well, that they are born and live to experience life as we know it.  Well, a birds life.

The lilacs are blooming

Don't know what this is called.

The miniture bearded Lily's are starting to pop out

The Better late than never part... really... 
This is now the burial ground of my very first sheltie pup that lost his life on Christmas Eve 2009 - yes.... 18 months ago. 

Along side of him is Portia's 2 Sons from 2 different pregnancies.
(Still borns - Early and late 2010)

yes... life is soooo busy that one forgets certain things..always saying I'll do it today.... and today never comes...Plans that were planned out, but never happened... procrastinating... I hate it.  Today... with the sun gleaming... and working in the garden... I stopped to smell the roses... got the shovel... picked out the most peaceful spot... and finally gave these 3 babes a proper goodbye burial.  The lone daffadil and the peoney plant will remind me of them always.  Beside the rock is my sign "Sheltie Crossing"

 The first green puppy (early placenta detachment)
born at Almonte vet - pic taken by Dr. Amanda Malloy.
No has ever seen a green pup... alive anyways.  He was special for all.
We called him the Grinch.. and ask the people by his name at the Vets... they remember him.

He lived one day.

Run Forest errr Duncan, Run!

Took a quick break from the computer this afternoon.  It's quite chilly out.  Rayna and Duncan have become quite good friends.  She is always bugging him.... like a litte sister.

"Rayna, I mean it.... stop jumping on me"

What ?

SIKE!!!  Can't get me now!

EAT MY DUST BABY!!

There is no "long story short" so get a coffee, read it and weep.... if you want.... I did (weep that is. I read it cause I wrote it.- never mind)

Morning Ritual: 4:30a.m. - Dogs want to eat and go out...

Make Coffee. Check email do some web designing.... blah blah blah... scratch the head, try to style the "I just woke up look" with the hands and fingers... who cares... take a sip of coffee.

The dog run is finally in the midst of a major face lift - out with the "if you call it grass", in with the stone. Today is the Day. I better put a harness on before the trucker comes.

1 truck, 2 trips.... 10 tonnes of Stonedust..... 6 tonnes of River Stone $325 Delivered!

1st trip: Stonedust 6:50 a.m. "Just put it way at the back of the lane past the fence please"

Beep Beep Beep.....

I think the driver's name is George (***singing*** George, George, George of the Jungle... watch out for that tree!!.)

Here it comes

Done

That's 10 tonnes??? hmmmm maybe soaking wet.

Go into the house, make the lunches for the kids... kiss kiss, have a nice day at school! waka waka waka - next

2nd trip 7:58 a.m. : River Stone - "Hi again, that was fast! Just place it on the other side but in the laneway please."

It will eventually be beautiful colours once it's washed.

Now... I have to wait till Eddie and Tyler shovel and tamper the stone and then shovel the river storne.... hopefully done by next weekend.

8:30 head over to Almonte (35 min ddrive) for 9:00 appointment at Vets. Bella is saying hello to everyone...happy happy

Head over to Maureens (20 min) to try and figure out new software that is not working right - open the back hatch.... Bella pukes in the crate..... beauty - I love you too.

2 hours later.... still can't figure out the problem....leave frustrated - I shall return to figure that out another day. In the meantime, Eddie is returning Bria's broken cell phone to Future shop. Luckily we took the extended warranty.. no questions asked,,,, she gets a new phone - NO CHARGE.

Rush home (45 min), put dogs out... wait for kids.

Drive to Bria's friend in Britannia (35 min) to drop her off for the weekend. Drive to Kanata (25 min) for Tyler's Hair appointment.

Here is where I cry - I'm tired... my back and arm is now killing me.

The sound of squealing brakes is becoming apparent... AGAIN. This is the second time this week. The smell of burnt rubber is now coming off the back wheel of my van. NEW VAN. 2008 NEW VAN. VAN I NEED FOR NEXT WEEKEND's DOG SHOW... 2 hours away from home...VAN I NEED TO GO TO WORK >>> PICK UP KIDS >>> sorry I'm yelling.

so I get Tyler to his appointment... I head over to the Dealership, they promise it will be fixed on Tuesday...the calipers? have ceased. Nothing to worry about... here's the key to a loaner... no charge...have a great weekend.

**sarcastically** wow. Look what I get to drive. I get to drive this piece of .... yellow....4 cycl "Car" sardine can.

May I remind you... I have a bad back, can't really drive a low car... problem going in and out of car.......

Kay so back to see my son .... too late, he is already in the chair with the bleach going on. Tyler is determined to get his whole head WHITE!

And he succeeds. Kids. Gotta love the fun they can have and not care. I admire that

Here is the other part of the blog that is dog realted... see full circle.... dogs don't recognize this guy....

Poor Rayna... confused... Smells like the boy, but looks different.

Duncan isn't too sure either

I'm going to bed. My hands are cramped...

Tip Toe through the Irises????

Duncan in the garden, playing hide and go seek.



Our big man on campus, "Duncan" is our 16 1/2" at the shoulder ruler of the house - and he is the one and only "pet" here - well, other than Brianna's cat Puss Puss. Pictured below is Duncan with Tyler at a flag football game.

He is the leader and trainer of all the others - everyone has a great deal of respect for him, more so the younger ones like "Remi". He always looks up to Duncan for guidance and "approval" if you will, especially on our long walks. ~ do you recall the bugs bunny show with the little terrier and bull dog? what are we gonna do today spike? huh spike? what are we going to do....."" ""AHHHHH shut up! ~~~ yup... something like that ~ without the violent slap at the end.

He has had obedience training, agility training and he is the best "guard" dog ever! He sleeps in the middle of the house, ensuring the little boy (at one end of the house) and the little girl (at the other end of the house) are "protected". He herds everyone to bed, stays around for a few minutes, waits till the lights go out and carries on with the next person. He is amazing.

He is the most adored Sheltie here at Ruffleith yet the least given Kudos or talked about. I must stop that and showcase him more often - we are not only about Show dogs.

Duncan is greeting the alien coming to the front door.... he has his eyes on the back of the boots.

BACKGROUND: When the kids were 7 and 9, it was time to get a family pet. Not knowing what breed, we agreed to a Sheltie. I just love the majestic ruff and beautiful face - and I have to admit - I loved "lassie". With information on the breed itself, this is the family dog to get.

When Kim Aston first offered this boy, I was apprehensive only because, I never had a male dog in my whole entire life!

Was there a temperment difference between females and males of this breed? Were they more aggressive? Less Hugable (very important as a pet with 2 small kids).... lots of questions. With assurance, I agreed to take him home with us and I never looked back. This is the guy that started my love of Shelties..... this is the guy that convinced me that this breed is the breed for a family. .... This is the guy that .... I just love him to death.

What a Perfect Day!

I checked to see if there was any signs of a skunk outside today.... thoroughly checking every corner of the dog run.... then I summond the dogs... and they had a blast running through, rolling around the granular snow that is still left on the side of the house.

This is Portia... she is really fast! I can't believe she is on one foot!

L'Annie eating the snow. Does she look naked or what? She blew her winter coat about 3 weeks ago... I hope she grows a show coat soon! Duncan, Rosé and Portia trying to grab her tail!